Suzuki, IITH bet on V2X to boost road safety, lives

To reduce traffic incidents and road congestion, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Japan (SMC), Maruti Suzuki India Limited (MSIL) and IIT Hyderabad (IITH) have teamed up to research India-specific vehicle usage scenarios based on futuristic V2X (Vehicle-toEverything) communication technology. V2X communications technology, when used in conjunction with appropriate infrastructure, traffic rules and driver education can help save lives.

The first-of-its-kind prototype vehicles showcasing these experimental applications in the Indian context were displayed at the IIT Hyderabad campus here on Wednesday.

The technology demonstration was graced by Kazunobu Hori, managing officer, Suzuki Motor Corporation, Tarun Aggarwal and Rahul

Bharti, executive directors of Maruti Suzuki.

When this correspondent was given a simulation of this concept, it was observed that case scenarios revolved around ambulances, wrong-way drivers, pedestrians, motorcycles, road condition alerting systems and cars as a computer. However, these safety measures where V2X technology is used.

Rahul Bharti told Deccan Chronicle that except those of Suzuki, all the other vehicles will have to get this technology installed in their vehicle.

“Cars are mostly confused on how to respond to an approaching ambulance. Through V2X, there will be a clear message given to the car as to whether to move left or right or reduce the speed.”

On how animals and pedestrians can be protected or detected, a senior manager of Capgemini Engineering said that currently animals will not be detected.